Sparta Schools On Alert After Black Bear Sighted in Town

SPARTA — A reported black bear sighting just north of the elementary school in the Village of Sparta Friday morning prompted school officials to cancel outdoor recess and limit outdoor activity for the day as a precaution.

Sparta Area Schools notified families shortly before 9 a.m. that a probable bear had been seen within the village. In an email to parents, Superintendent Joel Stoner said the district would eliminate all unnecessary outdoor use or activity for students.

“This implies only indoor recess, no outdoor instructional activities and access to outdoors will be limited to expedited movement to and from buses and vehicles,” the message stated. “We will evaluate after school activities later today.”

The alert came after residents reported seeing what appeared to be a black bear moving through residential areas near downtown. Several locals caught a glimpse of the bear on their home security cameras, and others with photos taken with their smartphones. One resident posted on social media that she nearly struck the animal on State Street around 6 a.m., describing it as a “really scared black bear” running through yards.

Photos shared by community members show a dark colored bear moving across lawns and near homes in the early morning hours.

According to the National Park Service, black bears will sometimes wander into residential communities in search of food. Once frightened, bears can become unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Wildlife officials stress that avoiding the animal and removing access to food sources is critical, both for public safety and to prevent situations that could ultimately lead to the bear being euthanized.

School officials emphasized the decision was made out of an abundance of caution. No injuries were reported, and authorities had not announced any direct encounters between the animal and residents as of late morning.

District officials said they will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to families as needed.